Chrysalis

I knew that the Colony would make a move to conquer a portion of the third stratum, it's practically a requirement for us to grow enough that we will be able to survive, but I didn't think it was going to start this soon! Holy moly, they must have worked themselves half to death up there! Smoke is rising from inside the city already, I can only imagine that the fighting has begun!

[We need to get up there squad!] I holler at the others. [We need to hustle up the pillar!]

I immediately begin an all-out sprint in the hopes of joining the Colony in their fight as soon as possible. If they're going to take down a demon as powerful as Grokus, they're going to need the tier six firepower that my pets and I can bring!

[Perhaps it might be time that I offer my assistance?] Al breaks in, appearing beside me even as I sprint. [There is a faster way to reach the city. We can fly.]

[YOU might be able to fly,] I grate out, [but some of us aren't multi-dimensional beings of almost pure energy! I'm an ant who turned down wings when I evolved! Multiple times! I definitely cannot fly!]

The giant eye flickers.

[Ants can fly? Fascinating.]

[Not all of us and not all the time, but yes, there are ants that fly and IS THIS REALLY THE TIME?]

[Ah. It is not. I do not mean that you need to fly, but that I can create a force platform to carry us. I will likely need your pet demon to assist me to carry your combined weight, but I believe it will be possible.]

Invidia,] I point out,

[As you say.]

my attention to my

says you need to help him out. Make it happen so

[It shallll be donessssssss.]

and the eyeballs confer silently for a few moments before a shimmering disc of mana solidifies in the air before us. Scanning it with my senses, I can tell a tremendous amount of energy has gone into its

can manipulate this thing

Al confirms, [although shifting it with so much mass standing on it will strain me greatly. With the assistance of… Invidia, I will be able to

then. On we go,

big ape and I move swiftly and jump onto the platform which immediately sinks a little under our weight. I shouldn't be surprised, the two of us combined must be well above ten tons. In fact, I don't want to

performance ratio will

Since it probably is.

momentum, we float upwards towards the city above. It's a strange sensation and not a little unnerving to be honest.

to rise. The closer we get the more I can detect the acrid tang of a formic barrage in the air. Smells like the Colony has subjected the city to a massive bombardment of acid to soften it up for the full invasion. What's more, the number of ants within range of the vestibule continues to

flowing

at least, it feels that

the heavy hitters, of which we have two main targets. Grokus and Mongi… guy. Let's call him Mongo. Both are tier seven, which is higher than us, if I need to remind you. When facing either of them, we need to proceed with extreme caution. Gang up

believe I may be of some help in this,] the detached voice of